FAA Improvements Cut, Then Restored After AOPA-Led Fight
It took just 11 days in February for an AOPA-led industry lobbying effort to convince the Bush administration to restore critical cuts in the FAA's 2002 budget.
Restoration will allow badly needed upgrades in ATC, airport improvements, and relief from air traffic congestion and delays, as directed by Congress last year with passage of the Aviation Investment and Reform Act (AIR-21).
In early February, AOPA discovered that the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) planned to renege on the funding levels promised by AIR-21, which "unlocked" the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. The bill authorized some $40 billion for the FAA over three years, including a 64-percent increase in airport funding and 35-percent increase in funds for ATC modernization.
After learning of the OMB's budget-cutting plan, AOPA President Phil Boyer fired off a letter to President Bush, urging him to honor the agreement. That letter was the first volley in a furious industry lobbying effort on behalf of the FAA, including a personal appeal from Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta for the AIR-21 funding levels.
Just days before OMB's preliminary decision, U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.), the ranking Democrat on that committee, sent a letter to the president requesting that he fully fund the $53 billion in highway and aviation projects previously approved by Congress.
"These funding levels are critical to modernizing our surface transportation and aviation infrastructure, both of which are experiencing increasing gridlock," they wrote.
Over the weekend of February 10 and 11, OMB officials apparently had a change of heart, agreeing to restore the FAA's budget request to the level mandated by Congress.
"As a nation, we must place a high priority on solving the congestion and delay problems plaguing the air transportation system," said Boyer. "Congress rightly recognized through AIR-21 that the first step is to provide adequate resources to modernize the air traffic control system and increase airport capacity.
"We know President Bush shares this vision, and we're pleased that his administration has signaled its willingness to work with Congress and the aviation industry to move our system into the twenty-first century."
Budget Battles: Aviation in the Cross Hairs
February's near-crisis in FAA funding forewarns of challenges to come, despite last year's passage of the AOPA-supported Aviation Investment and Reform Act (AIR-21).
Simply put, AIR-21 requires the Department of Transportation to use all of the money collected from taxes on aircraft fuel, airline passenger tickets, and air cargo for aviation purposes, rather than hoarding it.
The AIR-21 victory was critical for GA pilots, demonstrating that the FAA can be adequately funded through the current excise taxes rather than through a system of ATC user fees, allowing much-needed airport construction and repair, as well as funding for ATC modernization.
But even though the passage of AIR-21 opened the aviation trust fund door for some $40 billion over three years, procedural hurdles and political disputes will determine how much of that money finally makes it to aviation projects.
The most recent challenge came during one of the first steps, the design of the 2002 budget by the OMB. The initial decision of that office to cut FAA funding below AIR-21 levels was part of an overall effort to allow the Bush administration's proposed $1.6 trillion tax cut, as well as increased funding for education, defense, and a possible Medicare prescription drug plan.
AOPA's legislative affairs staff in Washington, D.C., will continue to fight for full implementation of AIR-21.
AIR-21 Leader Lott Receives Hartranft Award
The timing for the presentation of AOPA's 2000 Hartranft Award to Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) couldn't have been better.
AOPA President Phil Boyer presented the award to Lott on February 12, just as word arrived that the federal Office of Management and Budget had restored full FAA funding for the coming fiscal year. That funding had been promised last year by Congress through provisions of the landmark Aviation Investment and Reform Act (AIR-21).
"When AIR-21 stalled in Congress in late 1999, Sen. Lott shouldered the challenge, pulled the conferees together, and addressed concerns regarding the legislation in the Senate," said Boyer. "AIR-21 succeeded in committee, and in the Senate, because of Trent Lott's leadership."
The Hartranft Award is presented annually to the government official who has made the greatest contribution to the cause of general aviation for the year. Although Lott was honored with the award at AOPA Expo 2000 in October, he was unable to accept the award in person at that time.
MILLENNIUM MOONEY WINNER
Portland, Oregon, Computer Executive Wins AOPA Millennium Mooney Sweeps
AOPA member Alex Thurber, AOPA 606851, a 550-hour private pilot and computer company executive based in Portland, Oregon, is the winner of AOPA's 2000 Millennium Mooney Membership Sweepstakes. AOPA President Phil Boyer surprised Thurber on February 24 during a presentation in front of about 1,000 pilots attending the Northwest Aviation Conference and Trade Show in Puyallap, Washington, near Seattle.
New Routes in North Carolina First Step Toward Nationwide RNAV Airways
Area navigation (RNAV) airways inaugurated on January 30 in Charlotte, North Carolina, are already saving pilots detours of as much as 50 miles. The Class B airways mark the first success of AOPA's campaign for a nationwide system of RNAV airways.
Charlotte's airspace was picked as a demonstration location because of longstanding AOPA member complaints about ATC-mandated detours there. AOPA worked with the FAA to develop the 12 new routes through the airspace, usable by any RNAV-capable aircraft filing flight plan equipment codes of /E, /F, or /G. Those without that capability may request radar vectors along the new routes.
Future RNAV airways will reduce the cost of flying by providing more direct routings, allowing easier access to terminal areas, and lowering altitude minimums on existing Victor airways where VOR minimum reception altitudes now require higher minimums. They could also allow continued use of existing airways where the navaid signal is no longer suitable for en route navigation.
"RNAV airways are critical for the transition to GPS navigation," said Melissa K. Bailey, AOPA vice president of air traffic services. "To encourage more owners to voluntarily equip their aircraft with IFR-certified GPS receivers, the FAA should provide more real-world benefits."
FAA Extends Comment Period on Proposed Cessna ADs
The FAA has granted an AOPA and Cessna Pilots Association request to extend the comment period on two airworthiness directives that will affect thousands of AOPA members who fly any of several popular Cessna models.
AD 98-CE-57-AD mandates periodic testing and possible replacement of plastic control wheels, while AD 2000-CE-26-AD addresses a potential problem with a map light switch insulator adjacent to fuel lines in some Cessnas. Both ADs were issued with just a 30-day comment period, which AOPA said wouldn't allow adequate time for aircraft type clubs and owners to submit objective comments.
The new comment deadline for AD 98-CE-57-AD (plastic control wheels) is April 4. For AD 2000-CE-26-AD (map light/fuel line), the comment period will close April 13.
Copies of the ADs and related documents are available on AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/whatsnew/regulatory/regcessna_map.html and www.aopa.org/whatsnew/regulatory/regcessna_wheel.html).
U.S. Pilots Win Reprieve on 'Foreign' Flight Plans
An FAA plan to replace the U.S. domestic flight plan form with the bulky, unfamiliar ICAO flight plan has been shelved.
"On any given day, the United States has more aircraft movements than the rest of the world combined," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Why should U.S. pilots be forced to use the more complex international form that asks for information that has no bearing on our domestic flight operations?"
Among other things, the lengthy ICAO form requires such extraneous information as "number of dinghies" on board and "wake turbulence category."
The FAA's concession followed a letter from Boyer protesting the planned switch. The FAA's response said that the agency is pursuing an "automation approach that will allow pilots…to continue to utilize the current FAA flight plan format." The FAA added that destinations outside the United States would still require the ICAO flight plan.
AOPA ASN Volunteer of the Month
After months of working with state and local officials, Morris "Court" Courtright Jr. participated in a ribbon cutting on December 19, 2000, for the new runway at San Manuel Airport in Arizona. Courtright spent many hours educating local and state politicians on the value of the airport and used his engineering skills to assist in the project. San Manuel's runway is now a 4,200-by-75-foot stretch of smooth asphalt, replacing a severely deteriorated strip. The airport also features a new tiedown area.
AOPA AIRPORT SUPPORT NETWORK
Public-use airports in the United States are closing at the rate of more than one every two weeks. The AOPA Airport Support Network, launched in 1996, designates one volunteer per airport to watch for threats and encourage favorable public perception of general aviation. For more information on how you can help support your airport, visit AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/asn/).
AOPA ASN Action in the States
Alabama. Reform: AOPA ASN volunteer William H. Lang Jr. helped build support for North Pickens Airport in late January by presenting AOPA's It's Your Airport program and showing the AOPA Local Airports: Access to America video to city fathers. Lang is also networking with local pilots.
Arkansas. Harrison: AOPA ASN volunteer Andy Anderson presented an airport user survey to the Boone County Airport Board on January 9. The presentation was part of an ongoing effort to improve relations between local pilots and airport officials.
California. Redlands: Safety and land use issues are at the heart of a controversy over construction of a sports complex just 1,000 feet south of Runway 8/26 at Redlands Municipal Airport. AOPA ASN volunteer Robert W. Pearce, who serves on the Airport Advisory Board, reports that a consultant has advised city fathers not to change the helicopter traffic pattern, which would conflict with the sports complex. Airport Advisory Board members are also working with city officials on other safety concerns.
Colorado. Aurora: Plans for a 5,500-acre motor sports park that would close Aurora Airpark have been put on hold. AOPA ASN volunteer Edward M. Cutler's first report of the threat to the airpark was carried in the January issue of AOPA Pilot magazine.
Hawaii. Honolulu: AOPA ASN volunteer Henry P. Bruckner reports slow progress toward establishing fuel service, hangars, and tiedowns at Kalaeloa Airport. He adds that he is continuing to insist that GA pilots not be forced off Honolulu International Airport.
Illinois. Schaumburg: AOPA ASN volunteer Robert H. Weinberg reports that Schaumburg city fathers have approved peer counseling for pilots who violate the voluntary noise-abatement procedures at Schaumburg Regional Airport. AOPA had opposed an earlier city plan that would have enforced the procedures with fines and/or lease terminations, citing a requirement for an FAA-approved noise study.
Kentucky: AOPA ASN volunteers are still needed for airports serving the communities of Ashland, Danville, Frankfort, Georgetown, Hopkinsville, London, Middlesboro, Mount Sterling, Murray, Paducah, Richmond, and Somerset.
Maine. Lewiston: About 50 local high school students attended a Career Exploration Day presentation by AOPA ASN volunteer Lillian LeBlanc. A media day and presentation to the local chamber of commerce on the economic value of Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport are planned.
Massachusetts. Lawrence: AOPA ASN volunteer Anthony Marmiani reports that his efforts to ensure compatible land use around Lawrence Municipal Airport have included meetings with three different local councils and an airport-support letter-writing campaign targeting Lawrence Mayor Patricia A. Dowling, the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission, and the regional FAA Airports District Office.
Minnesota. Buffalo: AOPA ASN volunteer Jeff S. Anderson has arranged for broadcast of two 30-second AOPA airport support commercials on the local cable television access channel in the Buffalo area. The commercials are expected to run four times daily.
New York. Orchard Park: A shopping plaza and apartments could be built on Orchard Park Airport if sale of the property to a developer goes through, reports AOPA ASN volunteer Larry Cobado. He is working with local and state officials and the FAA to prevent closure of the popular turf airport.
Ohio. Norwalk: Appearances by the Norwalk-Huron County Airport manager and use of AOPA's Local Airports: Access to America video every night for a week on the local cable television channel at the end of 2000 brought positive community feedback. AOPA ASN volunteer Deborah M. Lake helped arrange the publicity. Also, a study by Lake of the economic impact of the airport showed a community benefit of some $2.9 million per year.
Washington. Vancouver: A planned retail center at the north end of Runway 16/34 at Evergreen Field is under investigation by AOPA ASN volunteer Glenn Siemer. The proposed mini-strip mall would place shops on the extended centerline, just over 100 feet from the runway end.
West Virginia. Martinsburg: AOPA ASN volunteer Ron Burr Porterfield is pushing for legislation to protect West Virginia airports from encroachment. Porterfield is currently working to convince leaders of a private school not to build a new facility just off the west end of primary Runway 8/26 at Martinsburg's Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport.
MEMBERSHIP ACTION
New AOPA Auto Insurance Offers Aviation Benefits
An innovative automobile insurance program for AOPA members, underwritten by member companies of American International Group Inc. (AIG), provides AOPA-certified automobile insurance with aviation-related enhancements.
It includes waiver of up to $250 of the deductible if the pilot's automobile is damaged in the airport parking lot while he or she is piloting an aircraft. And should the pilot's aircraft malfunction while on a trip, the AIG policy will pay up to $900 in ground or air transportation expenses necessary for a return home.
"AIG member companies recognize that pilots understand the importance of safety," said AOPA Senior Vice President of Products and Services Karen Detert. "That means AOPA members are a ‘better risk' and therefore deserve special rates and services."
For additional information, visit AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/info/certified/auto/), or call the AOPA Member Quote Hotline toll free at 877/659-2446, extension 4430.
New AOPA 'Chain of Title' Adds Clues to Aircraft Condition, History
An exclusive "chain of title" report is now part of the AOPA Service Corporation's Title and Escrow Service Comprehensive Plan, adding the name, address, and date of acquisition for every U.S.-registered owner of an aircraft since it was manufactured.
"A chain of title helps assure a 'no surprises' purchase," said Karen Detert, AOPA senior vice president of products and services. "It can help purchasers determine such things as the effect climate could have had on the aircraft, as well as indicate the types of operations for which it was used and provide contact information for past owners, often useful for finding information missing from logbooks."
The Comprehensive Plan also includes a basic title search, a damage history report, and an airworthiness directives report. The plan saves AOPA members 15 percent over the cost of the services bought separately.
For more information, visit AOPA Service Corporation's Title and Escrow Service on the Web ( www.aopa.org/info/certified/tne/) or call 800/654-4700.
AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION
AOPA, ASF Team to Combat GA Runway Incursions with High-Tech Web Education Program
A lively, interactive new course to help general aviation pilots avoid runway incursions is now available on the Web ( www.aopa.org/asf/online_courses/runway_safety/). The Runway Safety Program was funded by AOPA and produced by the AOPA Air Safety Foundation.
The new program is available without cost to all pilots. Using bright, active-motion graphics, the program takes pilots through real-life situations involving operations with high potential for runway incursions.
The FAA will grant credit for the ground instruction requirements of the FAA "Wings" safety program to those who successfully complete the Runway Safety Program. And flight instructors will be allowed to accept the course graduation certificate as evidence of the ground operations knowledge now required for a biennial flight review.
The course contains three parts: an arrival at Long Beach Airport in California, a departure from Pittsburgh International Airport in Pennsylvania, and a quiz. Realism in the course is enhanced by audio of ATIS and ATC communications in each location, recorded by working controllers who are members of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.
Questions in each module of the Runway Safety Program are used as learning experiences. After the pilot taking the course has selected an answer to a question, the correct answer is shown along with a full explanation. Successful completion of a quiz at the end of the course allows a suitable-for-framing graduation certificate to be downloaded.
AOPA President Phil Boyer previewed the course for FAA Administrator Jane Garvey in late February. After stepping through the course, Garvey declared it "an extraordinary training tool" in the fight against runway incursions.
Runway incursions — loss of required separation on active runways by aircraft or ground vehicles — have become an FAA hot button in recent years. Some 429 incursions were recorded in 2000, 108 more than during the previous year. Commercial aviation's worst-ever disaster, with 583 lives lost, occurred in 1977 with a runway incursion at Tenerife, in the Canary Islands.
Both AOPA and ASF have been leaders in the effort to curb runway incursions. AOPA President Phil Boyer is the only aviation industry representative on the FAA administrator's Runway Safety Management Team, and ASF Executive Director Bruce Landsberg chaired a recent FAA Runway Incursion Task Force. Both have emphasized the need for simple, cost-effective solutions rather than the expensive gadgetry or complex regulations proposed by some industry leaders.
The new AOPA-ASF Runway Safety Program is expected to fill the void in pilot education on runway incursions. "Knowledge is the key," observed Landsberg. "And this new AOPA-ASF online course gives general aviation pilots the key to help prevent runway incursion accidents."
AOPA was founded in 1939 to help keep flying fun, safe, and as affordable as possible. The AOPA Air Safety Foundation was chartered in 1950 specifically to promote GA safety.
Virginia Helicopter Pilot Wins ASF Transceiver Prize
Charles R. Sturtevant of Centreville, Virginia, is the winner of a Sporty's handheld transceiver after attending an ASF "GPS for VFR Operations" seminar in Springfield, Virginia. Twice retired, Sturtevant now flies part time for an executive who owns a Bell 407.
Sporty's Pilot Shop contributes the JD-200 handheld aviation transceiver as a prize each quarter.
ASF Collision Avoidance Seminar Timely
The ASF Collision Avoidance seminar, introduced late last year, couldn't have been much more timely. Statistics released in February showed a 5.9 percent increase in the number of collisions in 2000 (from 17 to 18) and a slightly larger increase, from 8 to 10, in the number of fatal midair accidents.
"Historically, midair collisions are infrequent," said ASF Executive Director Bruce Lands-berg. "Even for 2000, the total number of accidents in this category is small, so the percentage increase may seem more frightening than it is. Nonetheless, all pilots need to know what they can do to minimize their chances of a midair collision."
The seminar emphasizes using ATC resources to help a pilot with collision avoidance, including use of flight following and other radar services. It was a 1956 mid-air between a DC-7 and a Lockheed Constellation over the Grand Canyon that led directly to development of the modern ATC system.
The program was funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Defense, the Air Transport Association and Ryan International, a leading producer of collision avoidance devices.
A full schedule for Collision Avoidance seminars is available on the ASF Web site ( www.aopa.org/asf/) or by calling 800/USA-AOPA (800/872-2672).
ASF Honors Freeman as Corporate Partner
The AOPA Air Safety Foundation has recognized Donald S. Freeman Jr., chairman and CEO of The Freeman Companies, as the nation's top corporate partner for safety in general aviation in 2000.
"Unlike less progressive CEOs, Don Freeman helped blaze a path for use of general aviation in corporate America," said ASF Vice President of Foundation Development Robert Milanchus.
Freeman credits use of general aviation aircraft with helping build his companies into one of the largest convention and trade show service providers in the United States, now with 51 offices in 26 North American cities. Last year, 3,200 full-time employee-owners and more than 28,000 part time employees produced 3,700 trade shows and more than 11,000 other events.
INTERNATIONAL ACTION
Klaus Zeh Appointed European IAOPA VP
Klaus Zeh has been named senior vice president of the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA), European Region. IAOPA President Phil Boyer announced the appointment in February.
"With 32 affiliates, our European Region is the most active in our association," said Boyer. "Klaus is well known to both European officials and AOPA affiliates because of his 17-year tenure as an officer of AOPA-Germany. He has been an active and persuasive spokesman for general aviation and aerial work within Europe."
IAOPA affiliates represent GA interests in 55 countries. Their combined membership totals more than 400,000 pilots and aircraft operators. For more information, visit the IAOPA Web site ( www.iaopa.org).
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